Christmas List items on sale... When to bite and when to wait till BF??

[IamJEN]

I know this will get a thumbs down, since it's not an ad for BF :lol: But that's alright, hopefully I'll get some good advice anyway :hug:

I've started (and nearly finished) my christmas list this year in record time, and i've already started buying, here and there. I check SD daily for items on my list that could be a great slickdeal, and I scour Sunday ads.

Today, one item I wanted for my son was on sale in the TRU ad.. sorta. It was part of the Little Tikes Bogo. Now this could possibly be a "kill 2 birds with one stone" situation, since I have 3 nephews and a niece to buy for as well. I am sure I could buy the item that I wanted for my son and get an item for $19.99 for one of the other kids (this item would be free).

But... I know that the TRU BF ad always has really great deals on kids toys. And the toy I want for my son could be on sale for less...

So there is the dilema... do I bite and get the two toys for the price of one, which is a great deal (if I can find another Little Tikes toy I want) or do I hold out for something better?
Has anyone else run into a situation like this? Do you have any stratagies?

Thanks for the help guys ;)

[CaptainJ]

Why not do both? I mean, most of the BOGO sales are for discontinued and older toys, but the holding out might mean bigger deals for you.

[IamJEN]

Why not do both? I mean, most of the BOGO sales are for discontinued and older toys, but the holding out might mean bigger deals for you.

Ok, so I want to get the shopping cart, and then I'd get one of the other kids the free thing. You think I should do it, since it's an older item, it likely won't go on sale on BF?

[luv2shop2639]

I know this will get a thumbs down, since it's not an ad for BF :lol: But that's alright, hopefully I'll get some good advice anyway :hug:

I've started (and nearly finished) my christmas list this year in record time, and i've already started buying, here and there. I check SD daily for items on my list that could be a great slickdeal, and I scour Sunday ads.

Today, one item I wanted for my son was on sale in the TRU ad.. sorta. It was part of the Little Tikes Bogo. Now this could possibly be a "kill 2 birds with one stone" situation, since I have 3 nephews and a niece to buy for as well. I am sure I could buy the item that I wanted for my son and get an item for $19.99 for one of the other kids (this item would be free).

But... I know that the TRU BF ad always has really great deals on kids toys. And the toy I want for my son could be on sale for less...

So there is the dilema... do I bite and get the two toys for the price of one, which is a great deal (if I can find another Little Tikes toy I want) or do I hold out for something better?
Has anyone else run into a situation like this? Do you have any stratagies?

Thanks for the help guys ;)

I too just completed my Christmas List and have 2 start shopping for my 2 boys, ages 3 and 6, so toys and video games are our big items. I have found that Walmart has the best prices, hands down, on toys. Way better than Toys R Us even during a sale. Check the website. They also have free to store shipping. But I do start now on items that probably won't be included in BF sales and I wait on the others that will - board games, movies, video games etc. I will watch prices on Toys R Us.com, Walmart.com, Target.com and etoys.com to make sure I get the lowest price. If the item shows up lower I usually just price match it at Walmart or return it and rebuy it back. Kohl's for toys on BF is great too. I usually start with KB, then Target, Walmart, Kohls. But it can all change until the ads are released. Good luck!

[jreule]

I was in a similar dilemna. I have a 7 month old son, and really wanted to get him the Fisher Price Play and Learn Puppy. It went on sale this past weekend at Target for $14.99. I did not know if I wanted to get it or not, what if I find a better sale? Well, I decided to go for it, and went back on Sunday to get it. Target no longer had it on sale :eek:

So, I told my husband that I would not leave until I got yesterday's (Saturday's) price :) He asked how I would manage that . . . I had no idea. So I explained the the check out person that i wanted to check the price, and it had not yet been rescanned (I was there when they opened), so I got it at the sale price. I figure if I get it cheaper else where I will just return it.

I have 2 more gifts to buy and I am done. I usually hit BF for the great DVD deals, and then "santa" toys for the kiddos.

[IamJEN]

I too just completed my Christmas List and have 2 start shopping for my 2 boys, ages 3 and 6, so toys and video games are our big items. I have found that Walmart has the best prices, hands down, on toys. Way better than Toys R Us even during a sale. Check the website. They also have free to store shipping. But I do start now on items that probably won't be included in BF sales and I wait on the others that will - board games, movies, video games etc. I will watch prices on Toys R Us.com, Walmart.com, Target.com and etoys.com to make sure I get the lowest price. If the item shows up lower I usually just price match it at Walmart or return it and rebuy it back. Kohl's for toys on BF is great too. I usually start with KB, then Target, Walmart, Kohls. But it can all change until the ads are released. Good luck!

How do you try and predict what will be on sale and what won't on BF, toy wise I mean. Like is it a good rule of thumb to assume that anything new and exciting will be on sale, as opposed to toys that have been around for a while? I guess it's just one of those gut feelings, if price is good you should definatly bite...

[luv2shop2639]

How do you try and predict what will be on sale and what won't on BF, toy wise I mean. Like is it a good rule of thumb to assume that anything new and exciting will be on sale, as opposed to toys that have been around for a while? I guess it's just one of those gut feelings, if price is good you should definatly bite...

I guess from 4 years of BF experience. I'm borderline obsessed :eek: with BF and the sales and check 3-4 websites daily reading about possibilities. There are always good sales on preschool items and fisher price. I would say that the Smart Cycle will not be included though. You can always get a deal on board games, DVD's, carstracks, baby toys etc. I don't have girls so I don't watch that aspect of it. I know right now the Aquadots Super Studio just went on sale at Walmart for $16.94 and it is $19.99 everywhere else...I'm hoping for some kind of deal on the You Can Play Guitar system. I doubt it but I'm hoping. Walmart will also price match any ads on BF as long as you come during the time it's being advertised. Not B1G1 though. I'm also looking for the Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket that's impossible to find this year. Good luck and let me know if you find any good deals!::)

[jreule]

I'm also looking for the Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket that's impossible to find this year. Good luck and let me know if you find any good deals!::)[/QUOTE]

Me too :lol:

I am going to Target today and keeping my fingers crossed. You never know.

I'm also looking for the Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket that's impossible to find this year. Good luck and let me know if you find any good deals!::)

Me too :lol:

I am going to Target today and keeping my fingers crossed. You never know.

I'm also looking for the Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket that's impossible to find this year. Good luck and let me know if you find any good deals!::)

Me too :lol:

I am going to Target today and keeping my fingers crossed. You never know.

[IamJEN]

I'm also looking for the Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket that's impossible to find this year. Good luck and let me know if you find any good deals!::)

Me too :lol:

I am going to Target today and keeping my fingers crossed. You never know.


Phew I'm glad I'm not looking for that, I hate those hard to find items, my son's a toddler and luckily i've never even heard of a Pat Pat Rocket. hehe. Good Luck :)

[mysticprincess]

i'd pick up stuff as you find it, then if there's a WAY better deal on BF, pick that up and return the original item you purchased. most stores have a decent return policy (like 90 days). is it really worth the aggrivation to save $1 on BF when the store is all the way across town or might be out of stock by the time you get there?

thankfully, my kids are little and would be happy with an empty box.

[jreule]

i'd pick up stuff as you find it, then if there's a WAY better deal on BF, pick that up and return the original item you purchased. most stores have a decent return policy (like 90 days). is it really worth the aggrivation to save $1 on BF when the store is all the way across town or might be out of stock by the time you get there?

thankfully, my kids are little and would be happy with an empty box.


Last year my 3 year old really wanted a Baby Alive. I got her one, and it was broken. Waited THREE months for it to be replaced, and it sat in the box in our hall. My daughter was scared of it :lmao: teaches me! We returned it, and got an MP3 player instead, which she LOVES! this year she has asked for EVERYTHING! I got her a V Smile on clearance (65% off) at Target, and am hoping to get my hands on this pat pat rocket. She loves little einsteins and has not seen it, but I know she would be so happy to get it.

On an unrelated note, i have a 7 month old and have no idea what to get a 9 month old???

[Thatdog]

I was in a similar dilemna. I have a 7 month old son, and really wanted to get him the Fisher Price Play and Learn Puppy. It went on sale this past weekend at Target for $14.99. I did not know if I wanted to get it or not, what if I find a better sale? Well, I decided to go for it, and went back on Sunday to get it. Target no longer had it on sale :eek:

So, I told my husband that I would not leave until I got yesterday's (Saturday's) price :) He asked how I would manage that . . . I had no idea. So I explained the the check out person that i wanted to check the price, and it had not yet been rescanned (I was there when they opened), so I got it at the sale price. I figure if I get it cheaper else where I will just return it.

I have 2 more gifts to buy and I am done. I usually hit BF for the great DVD deals, and then "santa" toys for the kiddos.
It's $15, how much are you REALLY going to save? $3-4? Is the extra trip worth that to you? Especially for a 7 month old that's going to enjoy the paper much more to begin with.

[BlondieRN]

I get what the kids want most, usually at Wal-mart because they return any thing at any time with a receipt, and they price match. Then I look through all the ads if I find it cheaper I buy it and take it back with my original receipt to the original store....
P.S. I bought the Pat-Pat-Rocket cause I thought it was cute, and now looks as if I made a great choice....

[IamJEN]

I'm starting to feel like I need a Pat Pat rocket :lol:

[luv2shop2639]

I'm starting to feel like I need a Pat Pat rocket :lol:

I know me too! But I don't have the time to go to Target every AM looking for it. I wish some more ads would be released...:confused:

[CJDeStef]

This is what I have learned in the past with the TRU BF sales. One year about 3 years ago they did a BOGO deal on ALL FP and Little Tikes sales. No limit on the price. So people were buying the larger items since you got the best deal with them. It was crazy.

The year after they did B2G1F deal on the same stuff no limit of price. Not as big of a deal but still an okay deal.

I then started looking at the ads throughout the year. When they do the B2G1F or like this weeks Buy 1 over $19.99 get one under $19.99 free sale, I take advantage with the little toys in the $20 price range. You may save maybe like $5 more dollars on BF but I have bigger and better sales to find than deal with the TRU craziness that morning.

[cpnqn]

1. agreed, choose your battles wisely. Is it WORTH a long wait at TRU that am?

2. yes, buy now- use their return policy if you find it's less expensive later. They're usually really good as long as you have your rec't.

[chamelean75]

Well seeing that what I want, the Samsung 22" widescreen will probably not be in the black friday sale (it's super duper popular at its regular price), I think I'll wait till Xmas to get it, I think there is a higher chance of a sale, well a small discount.